Pathology of Skin Tumours Flashcards
What sort of biopsy is performed on potentially invasive lesions?
Excisional - curative as well
What are the histological findings of solar keratoses?
Thicker
- Can also be thinner > atrophic
Hyper-keratotic
Slightly larger basal cells
How is solar keratosis usually diagnosed?
Clinically
What are the treatment options for solar keratosis?
Cryotherapy Topical; eg: - 5-fluoruracil - Imiquinod Excision biopsy if - Concerned about invasion - Not recurrent Shave biopsy - Not helpful for therapy if extensive
What is a possible side effect of imiquinod?
Irritating > redness and burning
What information should be included in the pathology report for a skin excision?
Location Duration of lesion PHx of skin lesion Size Clinical description Indication for biopsy Previous treatment
What are the histological abnormalities of SCCs?
Nests
Keratin pearls
What are the risk factors for SCC?
Lifetime UV exposure Solar keratoses Fair skin Burn scars Chronic ulcers Renal/any transplant Road workers > exposure to tar Tobacco Arsenic Betel leaf chewing
What are the bad prognostic features of SCC of skin?
Late presentation
Relatively thick lesion
- >6 mm depth
Large size
What is the excision margin for SCC of skin?
4 mm
What is the most frequent form of skin cancer?
BCC
Where do BCCs commonly occur?
Sun exposed skin, esp - Head - Neck and trunk - Older adults May be multiple Slow growing Metastasis rare Can be locally aggressive
What are different types of BCCs?
Nodular
Superficial
Morhoeic
Basosquamous
What are the risk factors for BCCs?
Fair skin Blue eyes Immunosuppression Basal cell naevus syndrome XP = genetic syndrome Radiation
What are the bad features of BCCs?
Morphoeic type - infiltrative
Basosquamous type
Perineural invasion
Incomplete excision
What is the treatment for BCCs?
Excision = best If can't excise - Imiquinod - Efudex Cryotherapy - if must